Lecture on Art Therapy with Children

Key Concepts

Materials for Art Therapy
- Children are naturally inclined to engage with art materials (pencil, paint, clay).
- Different materials elicit different responses:
  - Drawing Materials (Pencil/Pen): Elicit controlled, intellectual behavior. Children may present stereotypical drawings.
  - Clay: Initially seen as play material (may cause playful regression) but can lead to integration and creativity.
  - Paint: Raises emotional responses; reveals affective temperament of the child. Can show integration and meaning when paired with clay creations.
Procedure Differences for Children
- Unlike psychological tests, art therapy focuses on what the material elicits in a child rather than projecting imagery.
- Encourages exploration and integration rather than following structured projects.

Initial Activities
- Child proposed drawing a rocket, a familiar and practiced subject.
- Incorporation of stereotypical elements like the sun and moon.
Choosing Materials
- Offered choice between paint and clay.
- Child selected clay, demonstrated focused and intensive building.
Creations with Clay
- Child made sneakers, with detailed attention and no regression to simple play.
- Discussion on potential for painting the clay sneakers.
Paint Exploration
- Child engaged in color mixing, learning to create green and other colors.
- Completed painting with stripes, showing some control limitations.

Role of Therapist
- Provided materials and guidance without intrusion.
- Transitioned to the role of audience, offering admiration and encouragement.
Child's Engagement and Learning
- Demonstrated ability to follow through with clay creation and paint mixing.
- Learned to create various colors and applied them creatively.
Final Thoughts
- Child showed ambivalence about future engagement with art materials.
- Expressed gratitude for hard work and encouraged potential future projects with paint.